|
Turrialba: Tour Descriptions
All of the tours offered through AEC are apart of the The Explornatura Adventure Point system that was developed to provide AEC students with an easy, hassle-free way to plan and budget your time in Costa Rica. By reviewing the Catalog of tours below, before attending your AEC Spanish Language program, you are able to better plan your travels in CostaRica according to your budget and time available.
Learn more about purchasing points and their benefits.
HALF-DAY TOUR DESCRIPTIONS
These activities last approximately 3 hours. They are available in the morning or in the afternoon seven days a week with the exception of TURRIABLA VOLCANO and NIGHT COFEE TOUR.
| Explornatura Canyoning and Canopy |
86 points
no minimum |
Available for adults and children 8 years and older.
Join us for a morning of extreme excitement as you rappel down waterfalls, zip through the tree tops and cross a 132-foot hanging bridge suspended over the canyon – an unforgettable adrenaline-packed experience in the perfect rainforest setting. Meal is included.
Anyday – Starting at 8:30 am and 1:30 pm |
|
| Explornatura Archeological Hike |
81 points
2 minimum |
Available for adults and children 5 years and older.
Travel back into time as you explore the home of an ancient, Pre-Colombian civilization that disappeared without a trace around 1400 BC. Come and find out more about the ancient indigenous civilization of more than 10,000 people that called the Turrialba Valley heir home at the Guayabo National Monument.
Anyday – Starting at 8:30am and 1:00 pm |
|
| Coffee Day Tour |
59 points
2 minimum |
Available for adults and children 5 years and older.
Learn the process of how the coffee bean makes it from the plant in to your cup on this interactive tour through the Golden Bea Coffee Factory.
Anyday – Starting at 9:00 am and 2:00 pm |
|
| Coffee Night Tour |
88 points
2 minimum |
Available for adults and children 5 years and older.
Everything the Day tour has plus a gourmet dinner at a local Turrialba Restaurant with coffee as the special feature on the menu.
Anyday – Starting at 5:00 pm |
|
| Explornatura Volcano Hike |
96 points
2 minimum |
Available for adults and children 8 years and older.
The journey begins at the base of the Turrialba Volcano in the last ring of tropical rainforest and takes hikers through the clud forests and into the moorlands. At the top of the volcano you can see down into the active crater and if the weather permits, all the way to the Caribbean Coast! Lunch is included.
Anyday – Starting at 7:30 am |
|
| CATIE –Walking Tour |
59 points
2 minimum |
Available for adults and children 5 years and older.
The Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) is one of the world’s premier centers on tropical agriculture. Your Explornatura naturalist guide will explain the great diversity of forest and fruit plantations and facilitate the observvation of birds, mammals, and some reptiles.
Anyday – Starting at 9:00 am and 1:30 pm |
|
| CATIE –Biking Tour |
79 points
2 minimum |
Available for adults and children 8 years and older.
This tour takes place in and around the plantations and botanical gardens of CATIE where you will observe a great diversity of orest and fruit plantations as well as birds, mammals, and some reptiles. The topography of the trails that we use on this tour can be adapted to any level of bike rider.
Anyday – Starting at 8:30am and 1:30 pm |
|
| Explornatura Horseback Riding Adventure |
66 points
2 minimum |
Available for adults and children 8 years and older.
Combine a day of sightseeing with the adventure of horseback riding! Ride through the mountains and have great views of the Turrialba Valley and the surrounding mountains with the Turrialba Volcno as the perfect backdrop.
Anyday – Starting at 8:30 am and 1:30 pm |
|
| Kayak Lessons |
see points below
no minimum |
Available for adults and children 8 years and older.
Costa Rica is a popular playground for whitewater kayakers due to its tropical scenery, warm waters, and quantity of rivers that allow for beginners all the way up to pro-paddlers. Explornatura uses professional instructors with at least 10 years of experience kayaking as their profession. These individuals’ love for the sport and Costa Rica ensures an informative and high quality lesson. Kayaking lessons are available for all levels of experience and any time or day upon request.
1. Fundamentals of Kayaking, 73 points
2. Paddle Strokes and Eskimo Roll, 73 points
3. Swift Water Current, 116 points
4. Whitewater River Descent Class 1+2 , 116 points
5. Four Course Complete Program, 335 points
|
|
| Explornatura Family Rafting |
86 points
2 minimum |
Available for adults and children 8 years and older.
Rafting on the Pejiballe River is the perfect activity for any family as it is a fun combination of class 2 and 3 rapids, rainforest, and animals. The size of the river is perfect for kids, a great combination of safety and water-fun, but still an exciting ride for any adult!
Anyday – Starting at 8:30 am and 1:30 pm
|
|
HALF DAY KIDS TOURS:
These activities last approximately 3 hours. They are available in the morning or in the afternoon. Age minimum for these tours is 4 years.
| Horseback Riding for Kids |
56 points
4 minimum |
Available for adults and children 4 years and older.
Horseback Riding for Kids is a combination of learning about horses and other animals at the stables and riding. Everything is done in a controlled setting to ensure safety. Two horses will be provided for every four people, if an adult requests their own horse, an extra fee does apply. Snacks provided.
Anyday – Starting at 8:30 am and 1:30 pm |
|
| Canyoning for Kids |
62 points
4 minimum |
Available for adults and children 4 years and older.
This is an activity designed for families with children 7 and under. It is a combination of a ropes course for the kids and swimming with one 60 foot waterfall reppell for the adults. Meal is included.
Anyday – Starting at 8:30 am and 1:30 pm |
|
| Rancho Sapito Family Day |
44 points
4 minimum |
Available for adults and children 4 years and older.
Spend time with your family on this fun, unique activity. You will have access to a petting zoo with typical animals found on a Costa Rican family farm and then be able to go trout fihing. The best part is after you land your catch, the restaurant prepares it for you to eat!
Anyday – Starting at 8:30 am and 1:30 pm |
|
FULL DAY TOURS:
These activities last approx 8 hours. You are picked up in the morning and return in the afternoon. All of these tours include lunch.
| Explornatura Cahuita Hike |
138 points
4 minimum |
Available for adults and children 8 years and older.
Leave Turrialba early to head to the Cahuita National Park in the South Caribbean. On the hike through the park you will have the chance to see all kinds of tropical flora and fauna and then enjoy the white snd beach and sparkling waters of the Caribbean.
Anyday – Starting at 7:00 am |
|
| Explornatura One-Day Rafting Adventure |
100 points
NO minimum |
Available for adults and children 12 years and older.
The Turrialba Valley is home to the famous Pacuare River, listed in “Outdoor Magazine” as one of the Top Ten Rivers in the world to white water raft. Not only are its class 3 and 4 rapids some of the best but its natural beauty is what really earned its claim to fame. Experience real ‘Pacuare’ excitement with 18 miles of wild rapids and enjoy some of the most pristine rainforests Costa Rica has to offer. Lunch included.
Anyday – Starting at 8:30 am |
|
OVER NIGHT TOURS:
These activities depart two-day activities leaving one day in the morning and returning the next day in the afternoon. Meals are included.
| Explornatura Green Sea Turtle Excursion |
442 points
2 minimum |
Available for adults and children 4 years and older.
Tortuguero is one of the best places in the world to see the migration of the Green Sea Turtles and is known as the “Amazon” of Costa Rica. No roads go to Tortuguero so transportation in and out is provided by boat. All meals and some activities are included.
Anyday – Starting at 7:00 am |
|
| Explornatura Overnight Jungle Adventure |
302 points
2 minimum |
Available for adults and children 12 years and older.
This is the perfect choice for anyone looking for natural beauty and adrenaline-packed fun. We raft 18 miles of the Pacuare River in two days, spend the night in our deluxe river-side camp, and hike to an indigenous village. All meals, towels, bedding, tents, and equipment included.
Anyday – Starting at 8:30 am |
|
SPECIAL WEEKEND TOURS:
These activities depart on Saturday in the morning and return Sunday in the afternoon. Meals are not included.
| Explornatura Caribbean Experience |
316 points
6 minimum |
Available for adults and children 5 years and older.
The South Caribbean is famous for its sandy beaches, sparkling water, international cuisine, and friendly, laidback atmosphere. This tour is a great option that includes transportation to and from Turrialba, hotel for one night, a guide, and equipment rental for snorkeling and sit-on-top kayaks.
Leaving Saturday in the morning and returning on Sunday afternoon |
|
| Explornatura Arenal Adventure |
338 points
6 minimum |
Available for adults and children of all ages.
The Arenal Volcano is one of the most popular sites to visit in all of Costa Rica as everyone wants to see the towering volcanothat is constantly spewing lava. This trip includes the basics: transportation to and from Turrialba, your night in a hotel, a guide, a hiking tour to the Arenal Volcano National Park, and your entrances into the Baldi Hot Springs. This is a trip you won’t want to miss!
Leaving Saturday in the morning and returning on Sunday afternoon |
|
TURIALBA SHUTTLES:
All shuttles are one-way, point to point transportation with set pickup times in the morning and / or the afternoon. All routes may include a transfer point. You are permitted one large bag and one carry-on item. You must report oversized or extra bags (like a surfboad) ahead of time or space cannot be guaranteed.
Turrialba to Siquirres - Departs 8:15 am OR 11:30 AM(Approx. 1 hour) 56 points
Turrialba to Puerto Viejo or Cahuita - Departs 8:15 am (Approx. 4 hours) 56 points
Turrialba to Arenal - Departs 11:30 am (Approx. 4 hours) 70 points
Turrialba to San Jose - Departs 8:15 (Approx. 4 hours) 56 points
Turrialba to Sarapiqui- Departs 11:30 am (Approx. 2 hours) 56 points
CAR RENTALS:
These car rental prices DO NOT include obligatory insurance; this must be paid in CASH or CREDIT CARD (points cannot be used) at the time that you make your reservation with the Exploranatura Representative. All car rental packages are for either 4 days or 1 week long and include pickup and drop-off at approved sites only.
Family- 4 day rental: 4x4 vehicle for 6 people. $25 per day for Basic insurance (obligatory) 288 points
Family- 1 week rental: 4x4 vehicle for 6 people. $25 per day for Basic insurance (obligatory) 577 points
Economic- 4 day rental: 4x4 vehicle for 4 people. $15 per day for Basic insurance (obligatory) 169 points
Economic- 1 week rental: 4x4 vehicle for 4 people. $15 per day for Basic insurance (obligatory) 243 points
LAST NIGHT IN COSTA RICA:
These packages are lodging ONLY and do NOT include transportation to the hotel.
Economic Double Occupancy:
Includes 1 night in Hotel Mi Tierra in Alajuela, Continental breakfast, and drop-off at Juan Santamaria International Airport in Alajuela (SJO). , 38 points
Economic Single Occupancy:
Includes 1 night in Hotel Mi Tierra in Alajuela, Continental breakfast, and drop-off at Juan Santamaria International Airport in Alajuela (SJO). , 60 points
Executive Double Occupancy:
Includes 1 night in Hampton Inn in Alajuela, Continental breakfast, and drop-off at Juan Santamaria International Airport in Alajuela (SJO). , 132 points
Executive Single Occupancy:
Includes 1 night in Hampton Inn in Alajuela, Continental breakfast, and drop-off at Juan Santamaria International Airport in Alajuela (SJO). , 248 points
|
